- Innova Discatcher baskets. Seem well worn and in great shape.
- Tee pads seem a touch on the small side but really, most of these holes do not require any sort of long run-up.
- The hills are what does it for me. This is a very three dimensional course to be sure. None of the hills are much more than 75' in height but there are so many of them. On 14 (I think) was one of the few holes I have ever seen where switch-backs are used to navigate the fairway. This is what makes Johnson really unique.
- Seems to be a lefty-friendly course. Found myself using my RHFH quite a bit throughout.
- Well maintained course that is far away from any other activity in the park. So no real risk of oblivious pedestrians strolling into a fairway.
- The flow from one hole to the next was quite intuitive although some spots uDisc navigation might be needed.
- Signage was great.

- The rough here in many areas is really rough. Not all of this is mowed fairways but a lot (especially in the back part of the course) is beaten down narrow-ish fairways. Playing with others who can help spot is not a bad idea.
- Some of these fairways are super duper steep with hard packed gravel. There is quite the potential for slipping. Holes 16 and 7 come to mind as fairways that need something like steps down the fairway.
- Need more benches or places to sit at the tees considering how steep some of these holes are.
- While the hills are a ton of fun this is not a very challenging course.

This is a under-rated course in my opinion. Sure, there are a lot of things that could be refined but it is a ton of fun. While this is not a coure that is going to favor the bombers of the world the shot variety certainly makes up for that. Solid footwear is a must. Bruhs with flip flops might want to take a pass on this one. Keep an eye out for poison ivy. It is ALL OVER this course. If you have the time this place is worth the stop.

The hills stand out at this course, and they could fall into either the "pro" or "con" category. On the pro side, the hills make for some really interesting holes, with a great variety - steeply uphill, steeply downhill, both up and down in the same hole, steep slopes right to left, and so on. In addition, there's a nice mix of wide open holes with some wooded holes as well. It seemed to me that the course asked for a variety of shots over the complete 18. One hill in particular is the gathering place for a handful of baskets and tees, with a fantastic view to the southeast that includes the gargantuan Grand Castle Apartments in Grandville. While trees and underbrush were a hazard on many of the holes, it didn't feel like it was impossible to find an errantly thrown disc (although we played in April, so that opinion may change as the foliage grows in). There aren't any extremely long holes, but some are definitely lengthened by throwing uphill. Hole 18 is by far the longest, but the tee shot is a wide open blast from an elevated pad. The signage was well done - especially the "next tee" signs. We had no trouble finding the next tee each time.

Negotiating the hilly terrain requires some fitness (but that could be a pro too!). Just hiking up and down the elevation changes left my 45-year-old self more winded than I'd ever been playing disc golf before. Some of the hills are also sandy or simply dirt-covered, which can make the footing a little exciting. I'm glad we played when it was dry. If not for the concrete tee pads, I would seriously consider wearing my baseball cleats for playing this course. Some of the holes are really tight together (like at the aforementioned hilltop). After getting a disc stuck 30 feet up in a tree on hole 7, I was basically in the way of those playing hole 8 while throwing discs and sticks into the tree to recover it. The locations of a few baskets were hard to figure out playing it the first time. This isn't really a family-friendly course - I could see smaller kids getting sick of the hiking involved.

I'd like to give Johnson another try - at the end of our initial round I was somewhat exhausted and not enthralled, but thinking more about some of those holes I'd like to see what I could do a second time through.

When I was looking at courses to play in the Grand Rapids area , Johnson Hills Course , circa 1993 , kept reaching out and grabbing me . I read that this was an old pole hole natural tee course prior to 2017 , so I knew the equipment and redesign on some of the holes would be good . When you turn on to Butterworth St , be patient . You will see a park and then park signs down the road . Keep going maybe another mile before you see the dirt parking lot on your left . You will see a couple of visible baskets by then . I never saw a kiosk when I pulled in and the map I printed off did me no good . There is some good navigation on this course that lets you get by with most of it without the map . The first hole is on the left side of the parking lot and down just a bit . in the open area . the first hole is a sweeping anhyzer 300' . Good sized cement tees at every hole . Yellow banded Discatcher baskets are in play here . They are especially easy to see for the woods holes in the back of the course . This is yet another one of those local Grand Rapids course with great signage that gives you a picture of the disc path and distance . Elevation , ELEVATION !!!! You almost have to be part goat to negotiate these hills . You either have to be throwing from a hill to a hill , up a hill , down a hill , or on the side of a hill . I never saw such extreme elevation since playing West Virginia . The course flows pretty well , except maybe 10-11 . You can easily end up at #12's tee pad . #8's tee pad stuck out in my mind . Big cement pad with a wooden front for decoration . Classy move ,,,,,,, Fairways were mowed and well taken care of . The course is not going to scare a pro or even a good am but I am sure that was not what it was intended for . If you are a disc golf junkie , then you have to play this course . The smell of this course wreaks of uniqueness .The course starts off with a couple of anhyzers on 2 of the first 3 holes , then settles in to a series of mostly hyzers . Lots of clever pin placements . Even though it had rained and the course was wet , it was still turning out multiple groups of players . I saw a dad with his 2 sons , saw a few twosomes and a foursome that drove all the way up from Tampa to spend a week playing lots of Michigan courses . They were impressed by the Johnson Park Course , too . Wait until you look up the hill to #17 , a 313' hole that plays like a 450' one , with another great tee area . Some of these tee areas have places to sit , nice touch . I had no problems with some of the holes being short . Lots of risk reward shots are involved with these . One of my favorites was #12 , a straight throw to a basket guarded by some trees in front of it , and a huge drop off behind and to the left side of it . If your disc gets up and rolls to the bottom , you are going to need at least 2 throws to get back . I threw a putter , lucked out and stayed on top just a little over top of the basket . I blew the putt , but it only rolled about 15' down and was able to salvage par . The next hole ( #13 ) was my favorite . a hyzer through the trees that drops about 15' down on the way . There is a long stairway/path that leads you down to where your disc has hit that tree you were avoiding . I missed the trees on this occasion and landed next to the pin . ( my only deuce on the course ) . #14 is the shortest hole on the course ( 131' ) but a tough birdie . It hyzers and up the hill . #15 drive comes out of the woods , and turns a little . #16 is a downhill anhyzer to a basket that is nestled in about 20' or so of woods . Then 17 goes straight up the hill , to #18 , an almost perfect top of the world drive ( 487' ) . If you keep your drive semi low , you will feel what it's like to throw +400' . My signature hole was 13 , followed closely by #18 . This course is a must play for locals and should be on the immediate checklist for travelers looking for great courses to play . This part of the park is secluded and should have only disc golfers on it .

I know that money was poured into this course , bringing it a long way from what it was , but there are a few cons that need addressing . #1 It can be very easy to lose a disc . Not only in the foliage next to fairways , but an abnormally high grass on some of the holes . I saw people besides myself losing their driver just off the fairways on #2 , and #18 . I looked for my drive for over 10 minutes before finding it on #18 . By the time I found it , water had seeped into my waterproof boots . Please cut the grass before letting it get that out of control or some enthusiasts will lose interest . #2 the map I printed off was not any good . If you don't have a good map on your kiosk , then just have some friend in graphic design draw a crude one in about 15 minutes and buy him a burger . #3 This one is important . The elevation is so steep here that I not only saw 2 people slip and fall trying to walk up the fairway , but I fell , too . Not one of my finer moments . maybe some rock or wood steps would go a long way in keeping the players upright . #4 this area is primitive , meaning no amenities such as water , bathrooms or trash cans . Please carry out what you carry in . No multiple tees . or multiple pins . Some consider this a con , but I didn't .

I know that it looks like I slammed this course , but my cons are mostly suggestions ( except cutting the grass down and putting a better map up online ) . This course has come so far in the last couple of years . I would be playing this all of the time if I lived in the Grand Rapids area . The course is underrated in my opinion . Incredible amounts of elevation , many risk/reward shots . A good start hole with a great finishing hole , with 16 good holes sandwiched in between . My recommendation : PLAY IT !!!

Johnson Park, the former pole hole course, has recently (June 2017). been upgraded with baskets and concrete tee pads. There is also some great engineering going on. The baskets are Discatchers and the pads are nice sized. The tee signs are colored and show the route. But the star of this show is this wonderful piece of land with it's rolling hills and treacherous deep gorges. There are places where the rough is deep and foreboding but mostly there are these wonderful hills which are meant for classic disc golf holes.

The course is an excellent mix of tough uphill holes, very tight hysers and annies, fun downhill Ace Runs, throws over gorges and then finishes with this 487' yummy downhill blast.

I loved hole 12. What looks like a fairly easy little birdie opportunity turns very scary upon reaching the basket and seeing that it is set on the edge of 30' deep gorge that extends about 180 degrees behind the basket. This deep gorge is easily found off the tee or from your approach. And your putts can be terrifying, too. One of our group had his second shot slide all the way to the bottom. His SECOND shot trying to get out hit basket rim and rolled all the way back down again. He might have taken a 10 had his rollaway not rolled directly to him which allowed him to stop it from rolling completely to the bottom again. He admitted to an 8. We laughed our asses off.

As much as I liked # 12, I believe I like 13 more. # 13 is a great little 194' downhill requiring an sharp anhyser from a righty. Their is a route there but it's awfully tight. This hole has had some great engineering done with a flight of wooden stairs taking you down the very steep hillside.

Can get hot out here. Course does play out in the open quite a bit. Bring water.

There is a chance for lost discs or at least, some searching.

On hole 12, there is a Chance for the elusive 10. Not many disc golf holes are that risky.

I love this course. It's hilly but not exactly a exhaustive workout, just a comfortable fatigue building exercise. The treacherous gorges might get you or you might slide it up there for a gimme birdie. I can't imagine ever getting tires or bored with this gem.

Updated from playing July 9th 2023, as my original review was from 2010. When I first played this course it was a pole course and has changed a lot since then. It looks like because the layout has loosely stayed the same this never really got changed but I'd have to say this is a very different course with baskets and tee pads.

Johnson Park is in Wyoming outside of Grand Rapids. It has a lot of elevation where you are walking up and down and for a course in the city, it has a lot more then you would expect. There is a porta potty at the start of the course so make sure to use it as it's not really in play until you leave.

Tee Pads - every hole has a teepad that's relatively big and will give you what you need to drive. They can be sandy here so if that bugs you being a broom.

Tee Signs - I don't remember a tee sign at hole one but every other hole has one and it helps let you know where the baskets are.

Elevation - this course has a lot of up and down elevation. It may be a negative for some as you are walking more than you expect for a fairly short course but it makes it a lot harder. Most baskets have a chance for a roll away and makes the fairly short course a bit more challenging. This is something that is fairly unique for the area.

Fun Factor - this course has a lot of risk reward that I think adds to the fun factor of it. You can run your putt but it may add 2 strokes to your score

Benches- they had nice benches scattered around the park which is nice after running up and down hills.

Trash cans - I don't remember seeing any. They could be here, and I didn't need to use them, but I did notice some beer cans hidden on some holes throughout the course.

Navigation - the navigation here can be hard and the map of the course is for whatever reason located on the 18 hole. They do have a decent amount of next tee holes but some aren't there.

Fairways - lots of blind shots or shots that throw close to other fairways. This course gets busy, so it seems like a place you may get hit by a random stray disc.

Elevation- I know I marked this as a pro but this course will have you sweating and if you have a bad shot you may be doing a lot more hiking then you planned to.

Busy - I have heard this course can be fairly busy. The parking lot was about 50% full when we played and we didn't have a lot of issues, but one group would catch up to us if we had to look for a disc longer than normal.

I really enjoyed this improvement of adding baskets to this course. I feel like while there are a lot of disc golf courses in GR this one has something you don't get at some of the others. The risk reward makes this challenging I assume for better players even though it may be a birdie course for them.

Hole 18 stands out as a fun hole to just let it rip and see what you are capable of. A lot of ace runs here make it cool too, only real downside is the chance of getting hit with a disc.



My review from 2010:

2.5

Pro:
A lot of good shots. It's a good place where you can bring a driver and a putter or even a mid range and a putt and easily get birdies and pars. There is a good amount of shots and you will need a few types of shots to get close. Only about one or two holes where you really need a third shot at more then 10 feet

Cons:
Tee pads are dirt. Finding it is hard. You have to drive by a while and it's in a sand parking lot and you can kind of see the poles. It's not that hard. there are like 4 tee pads all together and it can get hard to find the basket at which you need to shoot to.

I have never played poles besides the river side poles course(which are like 80 feet and you can play with only a putter) I was not sure the real rules but i didn't really get anything over a par.

The design of most of the holes requires some clever shot planning and execution. Though relatively short (I assume all holes are par 3), it's quite challenging. There is about an even balance between "best" lines which demand either a left or a right curve, although the course does favor shots that curve left. These lines are the result of intelligently designed holes that use mature trees in a fair way. There is lots of room for good shots, there are no holes where lucky bounces off trees are the only way you'll end up close to the pole.

Hills. Steep hills. You'll get a real workout here. It's hard to call this much of a con, because the design of the course uses the hills intelligently, much like the trees. However, by the 12th hole I'm usually pretty tired of the continual up and down, no matter how well I think the course was designed. (Keep in mind I'm in my 50s and have been playing since I was 14). There are some spots where you could lose a disc in the tight woods, since you're throwing up (or down) hill blindly toward a pole you can't see. But the course is short enough that if your buddy spots for you you'll probably be OK.

The 18th hole is a real favorite of mine. Tee off at the top of a very high hill and you can really get a ton of distance, only to find a long second shot to get close enough to make it in three. It's a fantastic finishing hole.

Fun, challenging, many terrain changes and trees come into play. Good variety of shots required. Secluded and lots of beautiful scenery. Outstanding view of the valley from the top of the hill. Sometimes deer and turkey can be seen here.

Pole course (would love to see baskets here, but I've heard that the secluded nature of the course made vandalism and theft a problem), The worst part about this course is the horrible tees, sandy with railroad ties surrounding them (twisted ankles can be a problem). The 'rough' can be rough on your ankles, wear sturdy shoes and socks. Mosquitos late in the day.

frequently overlooked due to the 'pole' nature of the course, but worth a look